For Michigan, better things will come

There are a lot of reasons behind that, but none bigger than the rise of free agency in pro sports. If you're willing to spend enough money, you can almost always buy respectability in the NBA, NFL or major league baseball (unless, of course, you know, Matt Millen's spending your money) and that has fostered an impatience among fans that has trickled down to all levels.

That's a big part of why Crisler Arena was just two-thirds full Sunday afternoon (and that might be a generous number, no matter what the official attendance number says), as John Beilein's team played its final regular season game, saying good-bye to Ron Coleman, the squad's lone senior.

After nine seasons without an NCAA Tournament trip, people feel they've been patient enough, even if these kids and this coach really had nothing to do with that streak.

We'll come back when you win - that's the general public's bottom line on Michigan basketball right now.

Even the hardcores who remain talk more about recruiting than this team and season, fretting mostly John Beilein isn't chasing enough big names.

This season, these kids, this team?

Hey, it has been a struggle. There's no way around that, not with losses to Harvard and Central Michigan.

Sunday afternoon, on paper at least, was more of the same, a 72-58 loss to No. 15 Purdue, the 21st defeat of the season.

Behind the seemingly predictable score and outcome, though, was a hard-fought game where Michigan gave a Top 25 team everything it could handle for 30 minutes, despite one of the roughest games of the season for star freshman Manny Harris.

In the wreckage of another loss were little signs that Beilein is starting to do what he always does - put the pieces in place to make an NCAA Tournament run.

Almost every player on Michigan's roster is more skilled than he was when this season started, as opposed to the Tommy Amaker years, when nobody seemed to get better. Not even Brent Petway's pre-game dunk show.

Sunday afternoon, forward Ekpe Udoh was a different player than he was a year ago, carrying the team offensively in the first half when it desperately needed points with Harris on the bench with two fouls. A raw rebounder-shot blocker as a freshman last year, Udoh hit a variety of soft jumpers, a 3-pointer, and both foul shots Sunday.
Oh, and still blocked three shots and altered a bunch more.

"I've been working with coach Beilein on my shot," Udoh said after finishing with 13 points, nine boards and six assists. "Today, I knew they were going to pressure us, so I just tried to be aggressive, using all the tools I have in my arsenal. I've learned how to shoot the ball efficiently, getting open shots."

When asked about Udoh afterward, Beilein's expression lit up.

"Isn't that something?" the coach said. "We talked to him early in the year, when he was doing those early shooting drills, and the shot wasn't flowing the way it should. He really worked hard at it.

"We should design more 3-point shots for him," the coach chuckled, "because he's shooting it as well as anybody we've got."

That lack of consistent shooting is why this team - despite making a ton of progress as individuals - hasn't been able to close out more games.

Beilein's system needs shooters and Michigan doesn't have enough. Any, really.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, you don't want to hear that. Call you when they win. Got it.
And besides, how much better can they really be with 21 losses?

Well, we'll find out down the road, when we see how many of Udoh and DeShawn Sims and Harris, Kelvin Grady, Zach Gibson and Anthony Wright are pieces of the puzzle when Beilein starts winning.

So, if you've got any patience left for Michigan basketball, hang in there, and appreciate the little things, like Udoh, for now.

The bigger things will come. Beilein will get his kids in here, get these kids better, and win. He's done it everywhere else, and he'll do it here.

Just remember that promise to come back when he does.

Read more from Jim Carty at blog.mlive.com/jim_carty. He can be reached at 734-994-6815 or jcarty@annarbornews.com.